rizdeology

The in-between where Providence shines. And with Spring upon us, it's a good time to think about transitions. Students graduate, new students file in, and the faculty and staff that make this school work rotate. Amidst all this change, it may be hard to see Providence as our home. Let's shift our perspective: how can we give back?Music by Chad CrouchReach us on Instagram @rizdeologySeason 3 produced by Olivia Schroder and Zora Gamberg. Sound editing by Harry Pont. Graphic design by Aanya Arora.Produced in collaboration with the Fleet Library at RISD

What once was a center of student gathering and collaborative learning is now a shell of itself. But looking closer, vestiges of its tumultuous history can be found. Behind locked doors, nestled in heating vents, or dangling from the ceiling. Are these symptomatic of neglect? Or opportunity? Professor and poet Mairead Byrne shows us the covert magic of the Old Library.Some sound effects by BBCMusic by Chad CrouchWinter 2023Reach us on Instagram @rizdeologySeason 3 produced by Olivia Schroder, Sofia Carrera-Britten, and Zora GambergProduced in collaboration with the Fleet Library at RISD

How do you define the RISD community? In this episode, we went to the RISD Beach and asked students to offer their perspectives. This season, we want to explore what "community" means at this school through student spaces on campus and the community members supporting them. Email us at rizdeology@risd.eduProduced by Olivia Schroder, Sofia Carrera-Britten, and Zora GambergMusic by Podington BearSponsored by the Fleet Library at RISD

Introducing the next host of rizdeology, Olivia Schroder. 

On this episode, we sat down with Cas Holman, world-renowned industrial designer and founder of Heroes Will Rise. We spoke about what inspires Cas, how to design with play in mind, and what it was like filming her season two Netflix episode, Abstract the art of design. 

On this episode, I sat down with Rodolphe El-Khoury 86 BArch, Hashim Sarkis 85 BArch, Nader Tehrani 86 BArch. We spoke about how their friendship, formed in the RISD Architecture Department, led them to their current positions as the deans of the University of Miami School of Architecture, MIT School of Architecture and Planning, and The Cooper Union School of Architecture. We were curious if there was a special ingredient at RISD which produced three great leaders. And we even asked if they are interested in becoming the next department head at RISD Architecture... only kidding, of course. 

On this episode,  I sat down with fellow podcaster Jess Myers. Jess is the recipient of the Race in Art and Design Cluster Hire in the Department of Architecture. We spoke about all things podcasting including some of her favorite episodes on her podcast Here There Be Dragons. If you are interested in learning more about podcasting, check out Jess's Narrative Audio & Sound Design workshops at the Fleet Library on March 8, 16, and 23rd. More info: tinyurl.com/fleetsound

On this episode, I sat down with former RISD Museum Director John Smith. John served as director for 10 years and fundamentally altered the trajectory of the RISD Museum with major capital changes including the introduction of technology. We spoke about how the museum stays relevant to the RISD community, The repatriation of indigenous artifacts, and of course, the best-kept secrets in the RISD Museum. 

On this episode, I sat down with Valeria Albani who recently left RISD after six years as the associate director at RISD 's Global Exchange department. We spoke about the similarities and differences of European and American higher education, RISD's European Honors Program, how virtual capabilities will create a more equitable global experience, and the unique ripple effect that happens when students return from a semester abroad. 

On this episode, I sat down with the legendary architecture professor Jim Barnes. I spoke with Jim about what he's been up to since retirement. We discussed RISD's retirement policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and walked through Jim's most memorable moments over the last 50 years. Finally, we discussed why so many student-led initiatives never seem to last more than a couple of years. 

On this episode, I sat down with RISD Graphic Design Alumni Willem Van Lancker. Willem is a designer and entrepreneur  who co-founded Oyster and today helps lead company incubation at Thrive Capital. We spoke about his advice to find intersections in your career as they often lead to the most creative outcomes, his role and passion for hospitality, and his bespoke career path since graduation. 

On this episode, I sat down with RISD Architecture alumna Deborah Berke, founder of Deborah Berke Architects and Dean of the Yale School of Architecture. We spoke about what life would be like living in year 1,000, the lack of optimism in retirement communities across the United States, and how her RISD education helped land her first job as a graphic designer at an engineering firm in New York City. 

On this episode, I sat down with former RISD President John Maeda. We spoke about how the 2008 global financial crisis shaped his presidency, the role social media and Twitter had on this international appearance, and his courage of conviction amidst pushback from RISD faculty and staff. 

On this episode, I sat down with Michael Maltzan, RISD Architecture Alumni and founder of Michael Maltzan Architects in Los Angeles, California.  We discussed how RISD taught him the fundamentals of how to see, his interest in the formation of The United States of America, and how growing up in the post war suburb of Levittown, Long Island led him to yearn for a life out west. 

On this episode, I sat down with Julie Mehretu & Benjamin Edwards from the RISD painting class of 1997. We spoke about the risk of RISD's increasing tuition, the advice & mentorship of a life changing  faculty member,  and their thoughts on the newest art form to hit the market: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT's).

On this episode, I interviewed Andrew Martinez, RISD Archivist. We discussed how RISD catalogs, stores and documents everything from the board of trustees' minutes to student drawings dating back to 1877. We also discussed the important work Andrew is doing to orally record all 50 faculty and staff who decided to retire due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Finally, I inquired how RISD purchased the Market House building for $10.00 back in 1948.  

Longest serving faculty member in the history of Rhode Island School of Design, Mike Fink discusses how he single handedly saved Carr House Cafe, his hope to become the next RISD president and his love for South Park. Please excuse the audio quality as Mike's wonderful beard slightly interfered with the microphone. 

Senior library assistants, Laura Browne and Stephen McCaughey discuss the the impact of COVID-19, the secret vault hidden below Fleet Library and debated killing spiders.